In the run-up to Chile’s leading security industry event, the head of the Carabineros addressed the rise of organized crime, new forms of criminal activity, and the role that artificial intelligence, data analysis, and other technologies will play in police work in the future.

With just a few weeks to go before the start of SeguridadExpo, Carabineros Director General Marcelo Araya highlighted the role this exhibition plays as a showcase for new technologies applied to public safety. This is a central theme for the institution as it approaches its centennial, which will be commemorated in 2027.

In analyzing the current public safety landscape, Araya noted that “one of the main challenges is the speed at which threats and new forms of crime are evolving. Organized crime, economic crimes, fraud, and cybercrime are increasingly incorporating new technologies, which requires law enforcement agencies to develop capabilities that allow them to anticipate and respond efficiently.”

In light of this situation, Araya maintains that it is necessary to “strengthen capabilities in information analysis, interoperability, and the use of technologies that enable the transformation of large volumes of data into useful information to support police decision-making.”

In this process, the official emphasizes that “artificial intelligence, intelligent video surveillance systems, data analysis, and other technological tools can significantly contribute to strengthening capabilities for crime prevention, detection, and response.”

Part of this work is already being implemented within the institution. By way of example, the Director General explains that “currently, the system operates in the Metropolitan Region and integrates more than 2,000 cameras belonging to different municipalities, in addition to infrastructure associated with toll roads and shopping centers,” while “the incorporation of automated analysis tools helps identify specific patterns and information of interest to law enforcement, contributing to a more timely response to situations requiring intervention.”

However, he made it clear that “the challenge is not merely to incorporate technology. It is also essential to have specialized personnel, appropriate processes, secure technological infrastructure, and control mechanisms that ensure the responsible use of these tools.”

Following this same line of reasoning, the Director General maintains that “technological transformation must be understood as a comprehensive process, aimed at strengthening institutional capabilities and providing better security services to the public,” adding that “the goal is for technology to complement police capabilities, allowing for the optimization of available resources and improved response times, without replacing professional judgment or the work carried out by police personnel on the ground.”

Among the technologies that have piqued the institution’s interest and will be featured at the exhibition are those related to training, surveillance, and information analysis. In this regard, Araya notes that “virtual reality training solutions, next-generation cameras, and thermographic systems based on infrared imaging are technologies we are closely monitoring due to their potential to strengthen operational capabilities.”

Along the same lines, the official adds that “specialized software to support information management and analysis, artificial intelligence tools, and technologies aimed at improving police planning, prevention, and response processes represent areas of special interest to the institution.”

This approach is part of the transformation process being driven by the Carabineros as they approach their centennial, which requires planning for their development with a long-term vision. In this regard, Araya states that “the challenge for the next 100 years is to consolidate a modern, professional institution that is close to the public, effective, and fully committed to public safety, while keeping service to the people and the country at the center of its work.”

The official adds that a key aspect of this vision is for the Carabineros to be an “organization that understands the importance of external oversight, accountability, and transparency as essential elements for strengthening public trust,” while “it also involves strengthening the civil service career path through ongoing training and specialization programs, aimed at ensuring personnel are increasingly well-prepared to address public safety challenges.”

SeguridadExpo will take place September 8–10 at Metropolitan Santiago. It is organized by FISA, part of the GL events group, and in addition to the exhibition, it will feature a specialized conference where the sector’s main challenges will be discussed and analyzed.